How Are the Argos doing in Free Agency?

[jerrym]

So far on the first day, the Argos have signed no one and lost National punter, FG and kickoff man Lirim Hajrullahu. However, I think that Popp may be waiting until the initial surge of signings is over, as this is when teams tend to overpay for the available talent, in the expectation of signing talented players at more reasonable salaries, as he did last year. Furthermore, he has already done an excellent job of locking up key talent in the signing of Ricky Ray, SJ Green, Jermaine Gabriel, Armanti Edwards, Cleon Laing, Cassius Vaughn, as well as valuable backup Matt Black, in addition to trading for and signing James Franklin.

[ArgoGabe22]

Quiet isn't always a bad thing. Lirim got paid too much so I'm not complaining. Would love to have Woods back but heard his evaluation is a lot more than Argos willing to offer.

[ArgoZ]

I'm satisfied with the results so far. Most stars re-signed with their teams anyway. Not to worried about Lirim. Reliable and a Canadian, but not a game changer like we have had in the past (Swayze).

[Argo]

Don't like seeing LH -a national who handled all kicking duties pretty well - move on...

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Franz // February 13, 2018 at 5:20 pm // Reply Were the Boatmen sleeping on this one? Was it a money issue? Hard to believe he would leave for Tabbies.

• TFMCB // February 13, 2018 at 6:28 pm // Reply
  I listened to his interview and he mentioned that he does a lot of practising in Hamilton (from nearby St Catharines) and also mentioned the quality of the facility and being able to stay in one place to practice and work every day instead of being bused around like they do in TO. My guess is that it was non-monetary items that influenced his decision more than the $$$.
  
  

[ArgoZ]

Don't like seeing LH -a national who handled all kicking duties pretty well - move

• TFMCB // February 13, 2018 at 6:28 pm // Reply
  I listened to his interview and he mentioned that he does a lot of practising in Hamilton (from nearby St Catharines) and also mentioned the quality of the facility and being able to stay in one place to practice and work every day instead of being bused around like they do in TO. My guess is that it was non-monetary items that influenced his decision more than the $$$.
  
  

Commuting from Niagara to Hamilton is a dream compared to the extra time and aggravation to get to Toronto. All that other stuff makes for great radio and interviews, but let's be realistic. He would be playing for Toronto if they offered 140g's before today. That's a big price for an above average kicker.

[Argo57]

Appears the Argos will lose Rico Murray and sign TJ Heath.

[R.J]

Don't like seeing LH -a national who handled all kicking duties pretty well - move on...

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Franz // February 13, 2018 at 5:20 pm // Reply Were the Boatmen sleeping on this one? Was it a money issue? Hard to believe he would leave for Tabbies.

• TFMCB // February 13, 2018 at 6:28 pm // Reply
  I listened to his interview and he mentioned that he does a lot of practising in Hamilton (from nearby St Catharines) and also mentioned the quality of the facility and being able to stay in one place to practice and work every day instead of being bused around like they do in TO. My guess is that it was non-monetary items that influenced his decision more than the $$$.
  
  

Anyone surprised that this is an issue ?

[Will]

Anyone surprised that this is an issue ?

Not at all.

[Will]

You cannot make any conclusions after one day of free agency.

[Flutie]

I'm satisfied with the results so far. Most stars re-signed with their teams anyway. Not to worried about Lirim. Reliable and a Canadian, but not a game changer like we have had in the past (Swayze).

I am surprised that the Ticats went after him, it's not like they had kicking problems. You would think that they would have higher priorities.
The Argos might want to sign Castillo now.

[argolio]

You cannot make any conclusions after one day of free agency.

Or even the first week or month. 2017 Argos proved that.

[ArgoGabe22]

Or even the first week or month. 2017 Argos proved that.

I’ll be captain obvious and say the Argos were the biggest losers of free agency last season. But GC isn’t played on paper in February

[R.J]

You cannot make any conclusions after one day of free agency.

Except maybe on Montreal, I don't think that tire fire is out yet.

[Will]

Montreal had to overpay for a ton of guys, but have only improved arguably one positional group.

Lots of time for it to be addressed, but their offence still appears to be a tire fire.

[R.J]

Montreal had to overpay for a ton of guys, but have only improved arguably one positional group.

Lots of time for it to be addressed, but their offence still appears to be a tire fire.

So how much did the #Alouettes have to overpay for players?
Westerman got 50k more than next closest offer.
Mitchell White almost 40k above next closest.
Tommy Campbell got 150k (big $ for a corner).
Jake Harty in the 125k range. @CFLonTSN @didierrds

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 14, 2018

Defensive end Jamaal Westerman put pen to paper on a contract that will pay him over $200,000.

Defensive backs Tommie Campbell & Mitchell White got one-year deals for over $130,000 in hard money with additional playtime and performance incentives. - @JDunk12 #CFL #AlsMTL

— CFL News (@CFL_News) February 14, 2018

I'm glad Popp hasn't been over spending, as much as I wanted to keep White around, not at that price.

[jerrym]

Montreal had to overpay for a ton of guys, but have only improved arguably one positional group.

Lots of time for it to be addressed, but their offence still appears to be a tire fire.

Not only is Montreal way overpaying, Reed is not dealing with another problem that he recognized last year: they are too old, which led to increased injuries and older players wearing down as the season continued, contributing to an 11 game losing streak at the end of the season. Last year they had 21 players 30 or over when the largest next team in terms of that age group had 12. Thanks to extensions and free agent signings, they now have 22 who are 30 or over, many of whom were not only signed for exorbitant amounts but also given signing bonuses. This is not easily correctible.

[Scooter McCray]

Those defenders will earn their money because they may end up being on the field alot. The offence is a big question mark, starting at QB. We will see how Freeman does, but he has an NFL coaching staff guiding him in a CFL world.

I hope it does work for them because Montreal is a big market and I do want to see them become competitive again. They have a big window to become relevant in Montreal as the Canadiens are another tire fire altogether.

[AngeloV]

So how much did the #Alouettes have to overpay for players?
Westerman got 50k more than next closest offer.
Mitchell White almost 40k above next closest.
Tommy Campbell got 150k (big $ for a corner).
Jake Harty in the 125k range. @CFLonTSN @didierrds

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 14, 2018

Defensive end Jamaal Westerman put pen to paper on a contract that will pay him over $200,000.

Defensive backs Tommie Campbell & Mitchell White got one-year deals for over $130,000 in hard money with additional playtime and performance incentives. - @JDunk12 #CFL #AlsMTL

— CFL News (@CFL_News) February 14, 2018

I'm glad Popp hasn't been over spending, as much as I wanted to keep White around, not at that price.

Agreed. I like White, but he plays the wide side corner. Not exactly considered a shut down position. He's a playmaker for sure, but I think Q Ford could easily replace him there.

[Argo57]

Not overly thrilled seeing Waters return, well past his expiry date IMO.
Would have been nice to see Popp have a look at some new blood at that position, who knows maybe he tried but the player (Van G) wasn’t interested.

[gilthethrill]

Is Brian Jones a FA?